Superposed record strip and method of registering and aligning the same



Marcb7, 1939. SHERMAN -2,l49,31 6

v SUPERPOSED RECORD STRIP AND METHOD OF REGISTERING AND ALIGNING THE SAME Filed Oct. 8, 956

, I I 2 I'NVENTOR I 2 theaccompanying feed holes.

I 50 of superposed forms.

Patented Mar. 7., 1939 PATENT oFF cE SU PIJRPOSED RECORD STRIP AND METHOD 7 (SJF RIKMSTERING AND ALIGNING THE I I John 'Q. Sherman, Dayton, Ohio Application October 8, 1936, Serial No. 104,593 1": Claims. (01. 28212) This invention relates to marginally punched manifolding material having the feed holes therein distinctively arranged and a correlated pin type feeding device operatively engageable therewith for progressively advancing the material past a writing position in which succeeding sets of forms on superposed strips of material will be presented in uniformly registered and aligned relation.

It has long been the practice to provide in the margins of strips or sheets of manifolding material alignedsuccessions ofspaced feed holes in which are engageable similarly spaced pins of a traveling pin type feeding device by which superposed strips of material are simultaneously advanced past a writing or impression receiving position.

Great care is exercised in the manufacture of manifolding forms to insure accuracy and uniformity of the relation of succeeding forms with However unequal expansion and contraction of the material as well as mechanical inaccuracies of the feeding action of the printing press by which successions of formsare imprinted on continuous webs or strips of material causes a slight differential spacing of the forms and corresponding forms of different strips will fail to register throughout the strips when the strips are superposed one on another. While the error or variation may be infinitesimal between succeeding forms, the error is cumulative and the degree of variation progressively increases with advancement of the strips to such extent that in the course of feeding a number of sets of forms they may become so far out of registry as to falsify entries produced on underlying copies by causing such entries to appear in a different line or space or in association with data other than that with which the entry appears upon the original copy.

try and alignment of forms upon separate superposed strips it is necessary that the strips be repeatedly slidingly adjusted one relative to another as succeeding r'ecord receiving areas ap- 45 proach the writing position.

Modern commercial usage of printed forms with relatively narrow spacing of lines and laterally restricted columnar spaces necessitates more exacting requirements as to registry and alignment Some attempt has been made heretofore to effect more frequent adjustment of superposed stripsby more closely spacing the feed holes and increasing the number of feeding pins engageable therein. Such method jectionable, including thedecrease of strength of the punched margins of the record material and resulting reduced resistance to pulling strain with greater liability of the holes to tear out, whereas the modern commercial requirement for 5 increased numbers of copies materially increases the frictional resistance and subjects the material to greater pulling strain. The closer spacing of the holes also increases the number of pins simultaneously engaged with the record strips 10 and therefore restricts the range of relative adjustment. It is desirable to have a minimum number of pins engaged at any one time in order that the relative movement of thestrips induced by the engagement of one pin may not be resisted by another pin.

For the purpose of distributing the strain upon the record material andeifecting a more nearly continuous and uniform registering adjustment by which the strips or sheets may be automati- 20 cally aligned and registered transversely as well as longitudinally the present invention involves the rearrangement of the marginal feed holes and a corresponding arrangement of feeding pins engageable therein in staggered relation. The feed 25 holes and corresponding pins are relatively offset in directions either or both longitudinally and transversely of the strips or sheets. The feed holes at opposite sides of the strips are longitudinally staggered so that the feed holes of the re- 30. spective series are not exactly opposite each other but those at one side of the strips will be in advance of those at the opposite side thereof. Thus the feeding pins and the holes in the strips in which those pins engage will pass a given line 35 alternately at one side and then the opposite side of the strip, transmitting thereto more frequent feeding impulses to efiect a more uniform advancement and readjustment of the superposed plies and at greater frequency without weaken- 40 ing the material by closely spacing the holes.

The succeeding feed holes of the longitudinal series at each side of the strips are likewise staggered laterally out of direct line. The transverse staggering of the feed holes serves to align the strips laterally and the engagement of the pins in, the feeding offset holes imparts a slight jogging influence transversely of the strips first in one direction and then in the other in combination with the advancement in a longitudinal direction to insure accurate registry of the strips longitudinally and transversely. Furthermore the lateral offsetting or staggering of the holes out of direct alignment causes the feeding or pulling strain to be shifted to and fro and increases 56 The offset or staggered relation of the feed holes may occur in different combinations, as for example, the holes at the opposite sidesof the strips maybe disposed in transverse alignment or they 'may be staggered so that the holes at one side are in advance of those at the opposite side. Likewise they may be so arranged that corresponding holes at the opposite margins of the strips are both offset inwardly and the succeeding holes both ofiset outwardly in alternating relation. In lieu of such relation corresponding holes at the opposite margins of the strips may be offset in wardly at one side and outwardly at the opposite side, both in the same direction, and the succeeding holes likewise are offset or staggered both in the opposite direction. The alternate holes may be offset either inwardly or outwardly of a given line on which the remaining holes are located.

The object of the invention is to improve maronly be economically manufactured but will be more eflicient in use, positive in operation, uniform in action, of increased accuracy, and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further and highly important object of the invention is to provide manifolding material and feeding means cooperative therewith which will insure increased accuracy of registry and alignment of the strips both longitudinally and transversely.

A further and important object of. the invention is to provide a manifolding material and feeding means cooperative therewith by which the superposed'strips of manifolding material will be more frequently and constantly readjusted as .they approach the writing position to insure greater accuracy.

A further object of the invention is to provide as an article of. manufacture an approved form of manifolding material having relatively staggered marginally punched feed holes which will cooperate with the feeding devices .to insure accuracy of registry and alignment.

A further object of the invention is to provide as an article ofmanufacture an improved form of pin type feeding device having relatively staggered feeding pins which will serve to register and align corresponding manifolding material both laterally and longitudinally and which by relative disposition of the feeding pins will effect a more frequent readjustment of superposed record strips fed thereby to maintain a substantialli constant condition of registry and alignmen A further object is to provide as articles of.

manufacture continuous series connected form stationery having a distinctive arrangement of relatively ofiset marginally punched feed holes and correlated pin type feeding-means cooperating therewith.

A-further object of the invention is, to provide means for automatically maintaining registryand alignment of superposed form stationery within narrow limits of variation.

A further object of. theinvention is to provide improved manifolding material and associated pin'l ybe feeding means having the advantageous structural features and meritorious characteristics herein mentioned:

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, and parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation'or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the drawing wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a per-- spective view of a portion of a manifolding register illustrating the relation of the manifolding material and pin type feeding device forming the subject matter hereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a marginally punched record strip'embodying the present invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate portions of record material having different disposition of ofiset feed holes.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side and end elevation of one form of pin type feeding device tion is applicable to various mechanisms suchas tabulating, and computing machines, addressing machines, typewriters, and other apparatus wherein it is desired to positively advance a con-. tinuous strip or strips of record material into accurate registry with a writing or imprinting position.

Referring to the drawing, l indicates an autographic register having therein revoluble pin wheel feeding means 2. The radially disposed pins 3 of feeding unit 2 are engageable in marginally punched holes in superposed strips 4 of record material for progressively advancing the material past a writing position 5. The marginally punched holes 6 of the record strips 4 are preferably although not necessarily arranged in two parallel longitudinal rows adjacent to each margin of the record material, the succeeding holes being positioned alternately in the respective rows.

As indicated by longitudinal and transverse dot and dash lines in Fig. 2, the succeeding holes 5 are not only offset laterally at each margin, but the holes along one argin of the strip are longitudinally oflset rel tive to those at the opposite side of the strip, as is indicated by the transverse dot and; dash line Assuming that the line 'I--1 represents the writing line, it is to be noted that at the moment a feed hole 6 at one margin of the strip and the feeding pin 3 which may be engaged therein is positioned coincident with such line, assuring accurate registry at the writing point, a feed hole 6 at'the opposite side ofthe strip-and the pin which may be engaged mitted alternately at. opposite margins of the- 'strip and the superposed strips are brought to registry by .coaction of the pins and holes first tudinally or in the direction of travel, the succeeding holes 6 in the same margin of the strip are alternately offset laterally into two parallel rows as defined by the dot and dash lines 8-8 and 99 of Fig. 2. By such offsetting or staggered relation of the feed holes 6 the line of draft or forward feeding impulses are alternated first in line with one row of holes 88 and then in line with the other row of holes 9-9. The distance between succeeding holes in each line of draft is greatly'increased, being double that ordinarily provided. This is a material advantage, especially when it is necessary to feed a large number of copies by which the drag or strain is increased sinde it enables the strips to better resist the increased strain and minimizes tear-. ing the material.

The engagement of the feeding pins in the successively offset holes transmits to the strips a slight transverse jogging impulse in addition to the advance feeding movement which tends to maintain a more accurate alignment of the and during advancement the pin engages the forward edge of the hole of one strip in advance of its engagement with that of another strip and draws one strip slightly forwardly independently of the other strip until the holes are in exact registry when .the strips will be further advanced in unison. This operation is repeated as each succeeding'pin enters into the overlapped holes of the superposed strips. At the same time the entry of the pin into slightly relative eccentric holes, if the eccentricity is lateral and due to 1 relative side slip of the strips will push one strip aside relative to the other until the holes register. This lateral aligning adjustment is greatly facilitated by the offsetting or staggering of the holes into diagonal relation at each side ofthe strip.

The forward or longitudinal staggered rela-' tion and the lateral staggered relation of the feed holes may be used separately or in combination as found most desirable for particular conditions of use and the character and number of the strips being fed.

In Fig.2 the feed holes at one side of the strip have been shown as longitudinally staggered relation to those at the opposite side of the strip, and also theholes at each side of the strip have been laterally offset into parallel rows of staggered holes. Figs. 3. and 4 illustrate two different combinations of laterally staggered holeswherein the feed holes at opposite margins of the strip are oppositely disposed, but not longi- I tudinally staggered. In-Fig. 3 one pair of feed the holes of the succeeding pair are offset in the opposite direction on lines ii-Ii. In additionto such relative lateral offsetting of the holes as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the series of holes at the opposite margins of the strips may be additionally offset in alongitudinal direction as illustrated in relation with the transverse line I of Fig. 2. Various other combinations of holes relatively offset or staggered either longitudinally or forms for example the pins may be retractable and extendible as disclosed in Letters Patent to Sherman, No. 2,000,649, of May 7, 1935, and No. 2,000,651, of May 7, 1935. For simplicity of illustratlon the feeding device has been illustrated in Figs. 5 and'6 as comprising a pair of relatively spaced pin wheels ll interconnected by a shaft it for unison rotation. Radially disposed about the peripheries of the pin wheels are feeding pins I6. which are alternately offset or staggered in two parallel rows similar to the arrangement of feed holes 6 in the strips to be fed. If the holes at opposite sides of the strips are longitudinally offset or staggered, the pin wheels will be rotatively adjusted relative to each other to present the pins ,of the respective wheels in unaligned relation. To the contrary if the holes are only laterally oflset and not longitudinally staggered, then the pins of the respective wheels are aligned with each other. The feedingunit having staggered feeding pins and the manifold ing material having staggered feed holes for engagement of the feeding unit are interdependent and cooperate with each other to effect a common result. I While the record strips have been herein illustrated as having successions of staggered holes arranged in a substantially serpentine line at each side of the strips and correspondingly spaced feeding devices, it is to be understood that the row of feed holes at one side or the other may be omitted and that under certain conditions of use the strips are fed by a single series of feeding pins engageable in feed holes in one margin only of' the strips. The operation and effect of the staggered feeding pins engageable in offset or staggered holes is the same as before described. Likewise while only a pin wheel feeding device is shown, other forms of pin type feeding devices well known in the art may be employed in lieu of the specific form of feeding device illustrated. From the above description it willbe apparent that there is thus provided a device of the charwhich obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to'comply with the statute, the invention hasvbeen described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims. i

I ralit of Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A manifolding, assembly. comprising a plusupe u d record strips having therein a spaced feed holes, succeeding portions of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said tsrips being characterized by having in their opposite margins successions of holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device wherein succeeding holes of each series are staggered in diagonally oilest alternating directions and the holes in one margin of the strip are furthermore longitudinally offset relative to those in the opposite margin of the strip. 4

2. A manifolding assembly comprising a pinrality oi uperposed record strips having therein longitudii ml'y'spfied feed holes, succeeding portions of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having therein two parallel rows of marginally punched holes for engagement ofa try and alignment and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having in their opposite margins successions of punched holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device wherein succeeding holes of one series are longitudinally offset relative to those of the other series.

- i 4. A manifolding assembly comprising a plurality of supermosed record strips having therein,

logigitudinallyspam reed holes, succeeding porti ns of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment. and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having therein a succession of marginally punched holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device wherein succeeding holes are both laterally and longitudinally offset in relative staggered relation.

5. A manifolding assembly comprising a plurality of superposed record strips having therein longitudinally spaced feed holes, succeeding portions of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by Progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having in at least one margin thereof two parallel closely adjacent rows of holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device, the holes comprising the respective rows being longitudinally offset in advance of the holes of the other row.

6.-A manifoldingassembly' comprising a plu-.

rality of superposed recordjstrips having therein longitudinally srTaced feed holes, succeeding portions of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment and simultaneously advanced arsenic into record receiving'position by progressive ei'i- Y gagement of traveling feeding pins in-said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having in their opposite margins longitudinally disposed series of holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device, the

rality of supe record strips having therein longitudinal spaced feed holes, succeeding portions of which are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment and simultaneously advanced into record receiving position by progressive engagement of traveling feeding pins in said longitudinally spaced holes, said strips being characterized by having in each margin thereof a succession of holes for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device the holes in each margin being diagonally offset in alternating directions.

8; The herein described method oi-registering and aligning corresponding record receiving areas of superposed rips of manifolding material which are marginally punched for engagement 'of a pin type feeding and aligning device including the step of transmitting succeeding impulses al-- ternately at one margin and then at the opposite margin of the strip whereby the strip will receive a greater number of feeding and aligning impulses at increased frequency.

9. The herein described method of registering and aligning corresponding record-receiving areas of superposed smps of manifolding material which fie marginally punched for engagement of a pin type feeding and aligning device including the step of transmitting thereto succeeding feeding and aligning impulses alternately in parallel lines of draft.

10. The herein described method of registering and aligning corresponding record receiving-areas of suggrpowips of manifolding material which are marg ally punched for engagement of a, pin type feeding and aligning device including the step of transmitting thereto succeeding feeding and aligning impulses at alternating offset points whereby there are transmitted to the strips simultaneous advance and lateral adjusting movements.

11. The herein described method of registering and aligning corresponding record receiving areas of superposed strips of manifolding material which are marginally punched for engagement-of La pin type feeding and aligning device including rgagement of a pin type feeding device of a travel-.

ling carrier and a series of feeding pins carried thereby for engagement in the holes of the record strip, succeeding pins of the series being arranged in diagonally oflfset' relation in alternating staggered relation of the holes in the strips.

13. In a manifolding apparatus operative upon a series of superposed record strips having therein longitifdinillys'paidfeed"fiolefi of which successive portions are relatively adjusted into registry and alignment simultaneously with their advancement into record receiving position by progres-sive engagement of traveling feeding pins in the longitudinally spaced holes thereof, the combination of a series of such strips having therein a succession .of holes for engagement of a pin type feeding device, of a pin type feeding and aligningdevice for cooperation therewith including two parallel series of relatively spaced travelling feeding pins, carrier means therefor, the pins of one series being offset relative to the pins of the other series in the direction oftravel.

14. A manifolding assembly including a pluralit Lrelatively adjustable superposed record strips eaclT-fiaving a succession of longitudinally spaced record receiving areas to be progressively aligned and registered at a record receiving position with like areas of another strip of the asrality of elativel adjustable superposed record' strips eachha" g a succession of longitudinally spaced record receiving areas to be progressively aligned and registered at a record receiving position with like areas of another strip of the assembly, each strip having therein a plurality of relatively spaced feed holes arranged in a serpentine succession for engagement therein of a pin type feeding device simultaneously with its engagement in corresponding holes of another strip of the assembly.

16. A manifold g assembly including a plurality of relatively adjustable superposed record strips each having a succession of longitudinally spaced record receiving areas to be progressively aligned and registered at a record receiving position with like areas of another strip of the assembly, each strip having in at least one margin thereof a serpentine succession of relatively spaced feed holes for engagement therein of a pintype feeding device simultaneously with its engagement in corresponding holes of another stripof the assembly;

17, The combination with a plurality of superposed relatively adjustable recor s rips each having a succession of longitudinally spaced record receiving areas to be registered and aligned with like areas of other strips at a record receiv-- ing position and each having therein a succession of relatively spaced feed holes arranged in serpentine formation longitudinally of the strip,

of a coacting pin type feeding device including a succession of relatively staggered traveling feeding pins progressively engageable simultaneously in corresponding feed holes of diiferent strips.

I JOHN Q. SHERMAN. 

